Five for Fighting

Five for Fighting in 2013, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Vladimir John Ondrasik III

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: January 7, 1965

Ethnicity: Slovak (paternal grandfather), Dutch, English, German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, remote Cornish

Five for Fighting is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is known for his piano-based soft rock. He is also known as John Ondrasik.

He is the son of Anna, a piano teacher, and Vladimir Ondrasik. He is married to music publisher Carla Berkowitz.

Five for Fighting’s paternal grandfather was Vladimir John Ondrasik, Sr. (the son of Josephus “Joseph” Ondrášik and Anna “Annie” Pavur). Vladimir was born in California, to Slovak parents. Josephus was born in Veľké Rovné, Bytča, the son of Josephus Ondrášik and Verona Kuruczár. Anna was the daughter of Josephus “Joseph” Pavur and Anna Mikalik.

Five for Fighting’s paternal grandmother was Edith Hazel Watkins (the daughter of Thomas Watkins and Edith Wills). Edith was born in New Hampshire, to English parents. Thomas was born in Barford, Warwickshire, the son of Thomas William Watkins, who was of one quarter Welsh descent; and of Rose Ann Iverson. Edith was born in Liverpool, the daughter of Thomas Wills and Sarah Ann Shaw.

Five for Fighting’s maternal grandfather was Carlos Leroy “Roy” Kerr (the son of James Kerr and Luella/Louella McLaughlin). Carlos was born in Pennsylvania. James was the son of William H. Kerr and Catherine Daniels. Luella was the daughter of Joseph Addison McLaughlin and Susan Hammond.

Five for Fighting’s maternal grandmother was Cora Henderson Roberts (the daughter of Samuel Henderson Roberts and Betty Rhody Woods). Cora was born in Tennessee. Samuel was the son of Benjamin Franklin Roberts and Margaret F. Halfacre. Betty was the daughter of Isaac Thomas Roberts and Eliza Reynolds.

Sources: Birth record of Five for Fighting – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Five for Fighting’s parents – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Five for Fighting’s paternal grandparents, Vladimir John Ondrasik and Edith Hazel Watkins – https://familysearch.org

Baptismal record of Five for Fighting’s paternal great-grandfather, Josephus Ondrášik – https://familysearch.org

Death record of Five for Fighting’s paternal great-grandmother, Anna Pavur – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Five for Fighting’s paternal great-grandparents, Thomas Watkins and Edith Wills – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Five for Fighting’s maternal grandparents, Carlos Leroy Kerr and Cora Henderson Roberts – https://familysearch.org

Five for Fighting’s maternal great-grandmother, Betty Rhody Woods, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org